Questions to Ask Before Picking Your Wedding Venue

When you're ready to start planning your wedding after the excitement of being engaged sits in, one of the first places we recommend starting as wedding planners is looking for your perfect wedding venue. You might have your dream venue picked out already, or you might not know where exactly to start. Even if you have a particular space in mind, ask yourselves these questions before picking your wedding venue to make sure it'll be the perfect fit.

What's your wedding-day style or theme?

It's important that your space fits in with the wedding style you’re aiming for. Farm tables with wildflower blooms will not fit in on a rooftop venue with sweeping views of the city, just like an eclectic, maximalist design wouldn’t fit in a dull, beige ballroom. First, have an idea of the style you're going for, and that will automatically eliminate any venue that doesn't fit.

What kind of experience do you want to have?

Different wedding venues will each offer their own, unique experiences. This may sound obvious but hear us out because this is so important when it comes to picking your wedding venue. Do you want a church ceremony with an offsite reception? Are you looking for a weekend-long celebration where your guests can get comfy and familiar in the space? Does the wedding venue you’re considering host multiple events within a single weekend? How will the available rental options fit in with it?

Some wedding venues will offer 16-hour rental days, whereas others may offer only eight-hour days or perhaps even a whole weekend. Whatever you decide works for you, make sure that your venue is familiar with hosting similarly-timed events. Will their staff be prepared? Will their facilities and restrooms stay clean and stocked properly? Do they have an onsite contact that you can go to with any issues throughout your wedding weekend?

If the answer to any of these questions is "no," you definitely need a planning team to make sure things go smoothly, and you're not worrying about a thing.

Do you want indoor spaces, outdoor spaces, or a mix?

Remember, you'll probably need at least three different spaces for your ceremony, your cocktail hour, and your reception. Do you want indoor or outdoor spaces for each of these? Consider where guests can go if they show up early, too. Will they go straight to the ceremony, or can they grab a drink at the bar beforehand?

Sometimes, if you're using multiple spaces, a venue might offer to "flip" a room to reuse it. For example, you have your ceremony in one space, and move guests to another for cocktail hour. During that time, the venue staff is busy setting up tables and everything for your reception. So, by the time cocktail hour is over, guests move back into the ceremony space which is now ready for dinner and dancing! It's impressive, and it's totally possible.

Additionally, what will your rain plan look like? We know you don't want to think about it, but do not skip this step! Having a rain plan is essential. We remember one stunning venue that our clients were considering. It checked off every box, and they had three separate outdoor spaces for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. However, though there were some smaller indoor spaces that would have worked for the ceremony and cocktail hour, when it came to the reception they were dreaming of, the only options were outdoor. Plus, the venue didn't allow for any tents to be put in the space. So, they passed. It wasn't worth the risk of everyone getting drenched with nowhere dry to go.

So, look at the indoor spaces, and consider what the guest experience will look like if it's not so sunny on your wedding day. Do you still love it?

Does the wedding venue have onsite lodging, or are there nearby options?

We are advocates for always offering lodging options, even if you just display nearby hotels on your wedding website. Guests should always have a nearby place to go after a long night of drinking and dancing. But, if most of your guests are traveling over thirty minutes to attend your wedding, then it's downright essential. Does the venue have any onsite lodging options? A bed and breakfast may have enough rooms to house your wedding party and immediate family. Or maybe you want to get married at a hotel, so everyone can stay onsite. Another option is simply looking at what's nearby. What hotels can you recommend or even set a room block at? Are there multiple Airbnb options nearby? Does the venue offer any transportation options?

A remote destination will likely also result in few lodging options. And if you're having a big wedding, then you need plenty of options for your guests to go. Don't forget to consider this as you work towards picking your wedding venue.

How far is the wedding venue from the closest airport?

If your guests are coming in from out of town, they'll need a way to get from point A to point B. Do they need to account for extra expenses regarding travel, like a rental car or multiple ride-share services? Or will you be providing transportation for them?

Even if most of your guests are local, seeing how close an airport is will tell you how many lodging options there are. The closer to an airport, the more options you have!

What does the venue include?

When you're trying to pick a wedding venue, make sure you look at what the rental fee includes. Sometimes, it quite literally only provides the space. Or maybe it also includes tables and chairs. Other times, your venue will provide all the China, silverware, glassware, and maybe even linens. Do they offer audio/video/lighting options? What about spaces for your wedding party to get dressed and ready?

You'll also want to consider how long the rental option is. If you don't have a planner, who's going to set up all your personal items? Can you set up your items the evening before? How long do all your vendors need to set up, and how does that fit with your rental period?

Pro-tip: Many venues will include cocktail hour in their reception time. So, if it says "5-hour reception," that could mean a one-hour cocktail hour and four-hour reception. Make sure this is clear before signing any contracts.

Who are their preferred vendors?

A wedding venue should be an expert in the industry; they have lots of wedding vendors coming in and out, and they see who is a great, experienced vendor and who might not be. Their preferred vendors should certainly be considered, but sometimes they might not be the perfect fit for what you want or need. Do they allow outside vendors to come in, who might not be on their preferred vendor list? Or do you need to use someone they recommend? Make sure this aligns before making any decisions.

Is there a catering kitchen?

Not all spaces have the room for a proper catering kitchen, but no matter what, this will affect your decision-making. If there isn't a catering kitchen, you'll want to talk to your catering considerations before hiring them, too. Are they experienced enough to be able to do the job without one? Will you need to spend money on additional rentals, like industrial cooking equipment, so they can service your wedding? Where will they work and how does that affect the guest experience?

It's certainly not a bad thing if there isn't a kitchen, but you'll have more questions to ask your vendors if that's the case.

There are so many things to consider when you're searching for your perfect venue. It can feel daunting, but once you find that fit, it's so worth it. Need any help? We offer consultation services to help with any of these questions, or we can come on board as your wedding planning team. Reach out today!